Hawaii Employment and Education

Unemployment is very low in Hawaii. Only 3.5% of workers were jobless in 2005 and that number has decreased to only 3% this year. Over 20,000 new jobs were created last year and earnings went up 2.5%. Not surprisingly, tourism is Hawaii’s number one industry. Hawaii has wonderful surfing, snorkeling and golfing. Many cruise ships also bring in thousands of tourists each year.

Hawaiian farmers also contribute to its income. Flower, papaya and macadamia nuts are the state’s major crops. Many films and television shows are also produced here. Shows like the popular “Lost” shoot in Hawaii because of its beautiful pristine beaches and natural waterfalls and jungles. Other island industries include mining and aquaculture.

Hawaii Education

In 2000, the graduation rate of high school students was at 90.1 percent, up from 84.6 percent in 1990. Hawaiian schools are unique because they do teach their indigenous language to students at every grade level. There are 285 schools on the islands and the state spends $8,523 on each student annually. Unfortunately, students’ test scores are lower than the national average scores in the United States. In both 2003 and 2005, only 56 percent of eighth graders scored at basic or higher proficiency levels in mathematics. In 2003, 61 percent were at basic or above reading levels, and that score dropped 3 percent in 2005. The only scores where students had improved in recent years, was in reading, where scores improved by 2 percent.